Page 61 of Close Contact
But he didn’t listen. His hand clamped around my upper arm, fingers digging in like claws, and my bag dropped to the ground. “You think you can just walk away from me? Like I didn’t build you from the ground up? Like we didn’t share something special behind closed doors?”
“Let. Go,” I said through gritted teeth, yanking my arm. I was too exhausted to fight back, and he knew it. My muscles ached from more than just racing. I barely moved, and his grip only tightened.
“You think you’re better than me, don’t you? Just because you’ve got a shiny multi-million dollar car and a spotlight? But deep down, you’re still that scared little girl who needed me to tell her what to do,” he sneered, leaning closer. “Youoweme.”
“I owe you nothing.” I tried wrenching my arm harder, but it just caused a flare of pain. “Everything we had ended the moment I found out you were fucking another woman.”
“So that’s what this little attitude is about? Because someone else took care of a need when you were off playing race car driver?”
That statement hurt more than I wanted to admit. “No, this is what you get when you say and do horrendous things. You’re nothing but a failed driver and an asshole.”
He chuckled, pressing me against the building. My heart pounded against my ribs so hard I thought it might crack them. I couldn’t escape.
“Say what you want, sweetheart. You won’t hurt me.”
“Fuck you.”
“Wouldn’t you like to again? I recall you liked being spread out on your back.” His breath was hot, the smell of alcohol on his breath, and I turned my face away when he tried to kiss me. But he kept trying, his mouth so close, and my head had nowhere else to go.
Santino grabbed my jaw to hold me still, his fingers squeezing as if they had any right to be on me again. Something cool and sharp pricked my skin just beneath my ear, and I hissed from the pain, trying to wrench free from his grip.
“Santino—stop—s’il vous plaît?—”
A sharp crack rang out, and thenSantinostumbled forward, clutching the back of his head with the hand that had been on me. In the dim light, a gold ring glinted on his finger—that stupid class ring he wore and refused to take off. Then there was a blur of movement. And there he was.
Callum.
He was here, pushing between us, body coiled tight like he was barely holding himself back. His knuckles were clenched, his nostrils flaring like a man who’d just seen red.
And I wanted to cry in relief.
My lifeline, my beacon of hope, my…
I gulped.
“Is there a problem here?” His voice was low, calm, but deadly.
Santinolet go of me and straightened, the charming mask slipping back into place. I instinctively rubbed the spot. “Ah,CallumFraser. The knight in shining armor. Don’t worry, we were just catching up.”
Callum’sgaze flicked to me, his expression softening for a moment before hardening again. “Didn’t look like catching up,” he said coldly. “Looked more like sexual harassment.”
Santinolaughed, but it sounded hollow. “Relax. We were just talking.”
Callumdidn’t budge. Instead, he moved closer, positioning himself between us. I inched closer to him, seeking solace and protection. “You should probably leave.”
My ex sneered. “Careful, Fraser. You don’t want to make enemies you can’t handle.”
“I’ll take my chances. Pretty sure I’m of more value in this sport than you are,”Callumsaid, his voice low and deadly. “Now get lost.”
Santino’seyes flicked to me, the venom in his gaze making my stomach churn. “Fine. Take your charity case, Fraser. She was a fun fuck while it lasted,” he muttered.
Callumcocked his head, his eyes narrowing, and then he reached out to grabSantino’scollar, shoving him against the building. “Say it again, you piece of shit.”
I watched, somehow both horrified and turned on byCallum’sdisplay of protectiveness.
“She’s a good lay. You understand me, boy?”
Callum’sfist came up, clocking my ex in the cheek, his head hitting the wall. I inhaled sharply, debating whether or not Ishould step in. But thenSantinolaughed, blood covering his teeth, and I knew he was going to get whatever he deserved.
